Sump assembly for a dishwasher appliance

ABSTRACT

A sump assembly for a dishwasher appliance is provided. The sump assembly includes a housing that defines a chamber. The sump assembly also includes a filter and an impeller mounted within the chamber. The impeller can hinder object accumulation within the filter or improve performance of the filter or both.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to sump assemblies, e.g.,for dishwasher appliances.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Dishwasher appliances generally include a tub that defines a washcompartment for receipt of articles for washing. Within the washcompartment, a spray assembly can apply wash fluid to the articlesduring operation of the dishwasher appliance. Further, such wash fluidcan accumulate within a sump assembly that is positioned at a bottom ofthe wash chamber during operation of the dishwasher appliance.

The sump assembly can be connected to a drain pump and/or arecirculation pump in order to remove or circulate wash fluid within thewash compartment. For example, the drain pump can direct a flow of washfluid out of the wash compartment when activated. Conversely, therecirculation pump can direct wash fluid to the spray assembly withinthe wash compartment when activated.

The sump assembly can include a filter for cleaning wash fluid withinthe sump assembly. For example, the filter can hinder dirt, foodparticles, and other objects from entering the drain pump and/or therecirculation pump. By filtering or blocking such objects, the filtercan facilitate proper operation of dishwasher appliance. For example,the filter can hinder such objects from damaging the recirculation pump,and the filter can also hinder such objects from clogging the sprayassembly.

However, filters collect debris, food particles, and/or dirt over time.Such objects can obstruct the drain pump's flow of wash fluid out of thewash compartment and/or or the recirculation pump's flow of wash fluidto the spray assembly. Generally, the filter must be replaced, cleaned,or flushed at regular intervals, e.g., during a drain cycle, in order tolimit such negative effects. However, dishwasher appliances users canforget to clean or replace the filter. Also, such maintenance can betime consuming and inconvenient.

Accordingly, a sump assembly with features for hindering objectaccumulation within a filter of the sump assembly would be useful. Also,a sump assembly with features for increasing a time interval betweenflush drains or cleaning or replacement of a filter of the sump assemblywould be useful. Further, a sump assembly with features for improvingperformance of a filter of the sump assembly would be useful.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter provides a sump assembly for a dishwasherappliance. The sump assembly includes a housing that defines a chamber.The sump assembly also includes a filter and an impeller mounted withinthe chamber. The impeller can hinder object accumulation within thefilter or improve performance of the filter or both. Additional aspectsand advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in thefollowing description, or may be apparent from the description, or maybe learned through practice of the invention.

In a first exemplary embodiment, a sump assembly for a dishwasherappliance is provided. The sump assembly includes a housing defining aninlet and a chamber. A filter is disposed within the chamber of thehousing. The filter and the housing define a filtered volume and anunfiltered volume within the chamber of the housing. An outlet conduitdefines an outlet passage. The outlet passage of the outlet conduit isin fluid communication with the unfiltered volume of the chamber. Arecirculation conduit defines a recirculation passage. The recirculationpassage of the recirculation conduit is in fluid communication with thefiltered volume of the chamber. An impeller is mounted within thechamber of the housing. The impeller is also mounted for rotation aboutan axis of rotation.

In a second exemplary embodiment, a dishwasher appliance is provided.The dishwasher appliance includes a tub that defines a wash compartment.The wash compartment of the tub extends between a top portion and abottom portion. A rack assembly is received within the wash compartmentof the tub and is configured for receipt of articles for washing. Thedishwasher appliance also includes a spray assembly for applying washfluid to the articles within the rack assembly, a drain pump for urginga flow of wash fluid out of the wash chamber of the tub, and arecirculation pump for urging a flow of wash fluid to the sprayassembly. A sump assembly is mounted to the tub and is positionedadjacent the bottom portion of the wash compartment of the tub. The sumpassembly includes a housing that defines a chamber and an inlet thatprovides fluid communication between the wash compartment of the tub andthe chamber of the housing. A filter is disposed within the chamber ofthe housing. The filter and the housing define a filtered volume and anunfiltered volume within the chamber of the housing. An outlet conduitdefines an outlet passage. The outlet passage of the outlet conduit isin fluid communication with the unfiltered volume of the chamber and thedrain pump. A recirculation conduit defines a recirculation passage. Therecirculation passage of the recirculation conduit is in fluidcommunication with the filtered volume of the chamber and therecirculation pump. An impeller is mounted within the chamber of thehousing. The impeller is also mounted for rotation about an axis ofrotation.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdescription and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which areincorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrateembodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serveto explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including thebest mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is setforth in the specification, which makes reference to the appendedfigures, in which:

FIG. 1 provides a front elevation view of a dishwasher applianceaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 2 illustrates a sectional view of the dishwasher appliance of FIG.1 and, in particular, reveals a wash compartment of the dishwasherappliance.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a sump assembly according to anexemplary embodiment of the present subject matter and as may be used inthe dishwasher appliance of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 provides a sectional view of the sump assembly of FIG. 3 and, inparticular, reveals a filter according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent subject matter and an impeller according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present subject matter.

FIGS. 5 and 6 provide schematics of the sump assembly of FIG. 3 duringoperation of the dishwasher washer appliance of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention,one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Eachexample is provided by way of explanation of the invention, notlimitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be madein the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit ofthe invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as partof one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a stillfurther embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present inventioncovers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

FIGS. 1 and 2 depict a dishwasher appliance 100 according to anexemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. As shown in FIG. 1,dishwasher appliance 100 includes a cabinet 102 that extends between afront 114 and a back 116. The cabinet 102 also extends between a top 110and a bottom 112. The cabinet 102 has a tub 104 therein that defines awash compartment 106. The tub 104 also defines a front opening (notshown). Dishwasher appliance 100 includes a door 120 hinged at a bottom122 of door 120 for movement between a normally closed, verticalposition (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2), wherein wash compartment 106 issealed shut for washing operation, and a horizontal, open position forloading and unloading of articles from dishwasher appliance 100. Latch123 is used to lock and unlock door 120 for access to wash compartment106. Tub 104 also includes a sump assembly 170 positioned adjacentbottom 112 of cabinet 102 and configured for receipt of a liquid (e.g.,water, detergent, wash fluid, and/or any other suitable fluid) duringoperation of dishwasher appliance 100.

A spout 160 is positioned adjacent sump assembly 170 of dishwasherappliance 100. Spout 160 is configured for directing liquid into sumpassembly 170. Spout 160 may receive liquid from, e.g., a water supply(not shown) or any other suitable source. In alternative embodiments,spout 160 may be positioned at any suitable location within dishwasherappliance 100 such that spout 160 directs liquid into tub 104. Spout 160may include a valve (not shown) such that liquid may be selectivelydirected into tub 104. Thus, for example, during the cycles describedbelow, spout 160 may selectively direct water and/or wash fluid intosump assembly 170 as required by the current cycle of dishwasherappliance 100.

Rack assemblies 130 and 132 are slidably mounted within wash compartment106. Each of the rack assemblies 130, 132 is fabricated into latticestructures including a plurality of elongated members 134. Each rack130, 132 is adapted for movement between an extended loading position(not shown) in which the rack is substantially positioned outside thewash compartment 106, and a retracted position (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2)in which the rack is located inside the wash compartment 106. Asilverware basket (not shown) may be removably attached to rack assembly132 for placement of silverware, utensils, and the like, that areotherwise too small to be accommodated by the racks 130, 132.

Dishwasher appliance 100 further includes a lower spray assembly 144that is rotatably mounted within a lower region 146 of the washcompartment 106 and above a tub sump portion 142 so as to rotate inrelatively close proximity to rack assembly 132. A mid-level sprayassembly 148 is located in an upper region of the wash compartment 106and may be located in close proximity to upper rack 130. Additionally,an upper spray assembly 150 may be located above the upper rack 130.

The lower and mid-level spray assemblies 144, 148 and the upper sprayassembly 150 are fed by a fluid circulation assembly 152 for circulatingwater and dishwasher fluid in the tub 104. Fluid circulation assembly152 may include a recirculation pump 154 and a drain pump 156 located ina machinery compartment 140 located below tub sump portion 142 of thetub 104, as generally recognized in the art. Drain pump 156 isconfigured for urging wash fluid within sump assembly 170 out of tub 104and dishwasher appliance 100 to a drain 158. Recirculation assembly 154is configured for supplying a flow of wash fluid from sump assembly 170to spray assemblies 144, 148, and 150.

Each spray assembly 144, 148 includes an arrangement of discharge portsor orifices for directing wash fluid onto dishes or other articleslocated in rack assemblies 130 and 132. The arrangement of the dischargeports in spray assemblies 144, 148 provides a rotational force by virtueof wash fluid flowing through the discharge ports. The resultantrotation of the lower spray assembly 144 provides coverage of dishes andother dishwasher contents with a spray of wash fluid.

Dishwasher appliance 100 is further equipped with a controller 137 toregulate operation of the dishwasher appliance 100. Controller 137 mayinclude a memory and microprocessor, such as a general or specialpurpose microprocessor operable to execute programming instructions ormicro-control code associated with a cleaning cycle. The memory mayrepresent random access memory such as DRAM, or read only memory such asROM or FLASH. In one embodiment, the processor executes programminginstructions stored in memory. The memory may be a separate componentfrom the processor or may be included onboard within the processor.

Controller 137 may be positioned in a variety of locations throughoutdishwasher appliance 100. In the illustrated embodiment, controller 137may be located within a control panel area 121 of door 120 as shown. Insuch an embodiment, input/output (“I/O”) signals may be routed betweenthe control system and various operational components of dishwasherappliance 100 along wiring harnesses that may be routed through thebottom 122 of door 120. Typically, controller 137 includes a userinterface panel 136 through which a user may select various operationalfeatures and modes and monitor progress of the dishwasher appliance 100.In one embodiment, user interface 136 may represent a general purposeI/O (“GPIO”) device or functional block. In one embodiment, userinterface 136 may include input components, such as one or more of avariety of electrical, mechanical or electro-mechanical input devicesincluding rotary dials, push buttons, and touch pads. User interface 136may include a display component, such as a digital or analog displaydevice designed to provide operational feedback to a user. Userinterface 136 may be in communication with controller 137 via one ormore signal lines or shared communication busses.

It should be appreciated that the subject matter disclosed herein is notlimited to any particular style, model, or other configuration ofdishwasher, and that the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 is forillustrative purposes only. For example, instead of the racks 130, 132depicted in FIG. 1, dishwasher appliance 100 may be of a knownconfiguration that utilizes drawers that pull out from the cabinet andare accessible from the top for loading and unloading of articles.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a sump assembly 200 according to anexemplary embodiment of the present subject matter and as may be used inthe dishwasher appliance of FIG. 1. Thus, as an example, sump assembly200 may be used as sump assembly 170 or as a component of sump assembly170 in dishwasher appliance 100. Sump assembly 200 defines an axialdirection A, a radial direction R, and a circumferential direction C. Asshown in FIG. 3, sump assembly 200 includes a housing 210 with a cover270. Housing 210 (e.g., cover 270) define an inlet 212 that permits aflow of wash fluid into sump assembly 200, e.g., wash fluid from washcompartment 106 of dishwasher appliance 100.

Housing 210 includes a bottom wall 218 and a sidewall 216 that extendsaway from bottom wall, e.g., along the axial direction A. Sidewall 216may be substantially annular and extend along the circumferentialdirection C, e.g., in order to assist in defining chamber 214. As shownin FIG. 4, sidewall 216 may extend between and connect bottom wall 218and cover 270.

Sump assembly 200 also includes an outlet conduit 220 and arecirculation conduit 224 mounted to housing 210. In the exemplaryembodiment shown in FIG. 3, outlet conduit 220 is mounted to bottom wall218, and recirculation conduit 224 is mounted to sidewall 216. Outletconduit 220 defines an outlet passage 222. Outlet passage 222 may be influid communication with drain pump 156 such that wash fluid within sumpassembly 200 can exit sump assembly 200 through outlet passage 222. Inparticular, drain pump 156 can draw such wash fluid out of sump assembly200 through outlet conduit 220. Similarly, recirculation conduit 224defines a recirculation passage 226. Recirculation passage 226 may be influid communication with recirculation pump 154 such that wash fluidwithin sump assembly 200 can exit sump assembly 200 throughrecirculation passage 226. In particular, recirculation pump 154 candraw such wash fluid out of sump assembly 200 through recirculationconduit 224 and, e.g., supply such wash fluid to spray assemblies 144,148, and 150.

FIG. 4 provides a sectional view of sump assembly 200. As may be seen inFIG. 4, housing 210 defines a chamber 214. Chamber 214 is in fluidcommunication with inlet 212, e.g., in order to receive wash fluid fromwash compartment 106 of dishwasher appliance 100 as described above.Chamber 214 is also in fluid communication with outlet passage 222 andrecirculation passage 226, e.g., in order to permit wash fluid to exitchamber 214 as described above.

A filter 250 is positioned within chamber 214. Filter 250 divideschamber 214 into a filtered volume 230 and an unfiltered volume 232.Thus, filter 250 and housing 210 define filtered volume 230 andunfiltered volume 232. Filter 250 includes features for blocking orhindering particles or objects from passing between filtered volume 230and unfiltered volume 232. Filter 250 may include a mesh or screen forremoving such particles or objects as will be understood by thoseskilled in the art. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 4,filtered volume 230 is configured as an annulus surrounding unfilteredvolume 230 and is separated therefrom by a wall of filter 250.

As used herein, the term “unfiltered” describes a volume within chamber214 that is not filtered relative to filter 250. However, as will beunderstood by those skilled in the art, sump assembly 200 may includeadditional filters that, e.g., coarsely filter wash fluid enteringchamber 214 through inlet 212 in order to prevent relatively largeobjects or particles from entering or damaging sump assembly 200. Thus,“unfiltered volume” may be filtered relative to additional filters butnot filter 250.

Filter 250 is spaced apart from sidewall 216 and assists with definingfiltered portion 230 of chamber 216 therebetween. Filter 250 may annularand extend along the circumferential direction C. As shown in FIG. 4,filter 250 may extend between about bottom wall 218 and about cover 270along the axial direction A. In particular, filter 250 may be integrallyconnected or mounted to cover 270. Further, in such configurations,cover 270 can be removed from sump assembly 200, e.g., to permitcleaning or washing of filter 250.

An impeller 240 is also rotatably mounted within chamber 214. Inparticular impeller 240 is mounted for rotation about an axis ofrotation X. Impeller 240 includes a post 242 that is mounted to bottomwall 218 and extends away from bottom wall 218, e.g., along the axialdirection A. A plurality of blades 244, e.g., two, three, four, five, ormore blades, are mounted to post 242 and extend away from post 242,e.g., along the radial direction R.

Each blade of plurality of blades 244 extends away from post 242 towardsfilter 250. Further, each blade of plurality of blades 244 includes adistal portion 246 that is positioned away from post 242 and spacedapart from the axis of rotation X by about a first distance D₁.Conversely, filter 250 has an inner surface 252. Inner surface 252 offilter 250 is spaced apart from the axis of rotation X by about a seconddistance D₂. First and second distances D₁ and D₂ may be different. Inparticular, the first distance D₁ may be less than the second distanceD₂ such that distal portion 246 of plurality of blades 244 does notimpact or touch inner surface 252 of filter 250.

As discussed above, filter 250 removes or collects particles within washfluid in chamber 214 of housing 210. As will be understood by thoseskilled in the art, filter 250 can collect an amount or volume ofparticles sufficient to impede a flow of wash fluid through filter 250during operation of dishwasher appliance 100 over time (e.g., afternumerous washing cycles of dishwasher appliance 100). Sump assembly 200includes features for hindering or impeding such particle collectionwithin filter 250. In particular, impeller 240 is configured forstirring, churning, or agitating wash fluid contained within chamber 214during rotation of impeller 240 about the axis of rotation X in order tohinder such particle collection as described in greater detail below.

FIGS. 5 and 6 provide schematics of sump assembly 200 during operationof dishwasher washer 100. In FIGS. 5 and 6, wash fluid enters chamber214 of housing 210 through inlet 212 of housing 210 as a flow of washfluid (shown with arrows F). As an example, controller 137 can activaterecirculation pump 154 and/or drain pump 156 in order to draw flow ofwash fluid F into chamber 214. In the exemplary embodiment shown inFIGS. 5 and 6, flow of wash fluid F is urged through filter 250 and intorecirculation passage 226, e.g., by recirculation pump 154. Flow of washfluid F can then be directed to spray assemblies 144, 146, and/or 150 asdescribed above.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, flow of wash fluid F contains particles P(e.g., dirt, food, and/or any other solid). As will be understood bythose skilled in the art, particles P can damage recirculation pump 154and/or clog spray assemblies 144, 146, and/or 150. Filter 250 hinderssuch particles from passing from or between unfiltered volume 232 andfiltered volume 230 in order to prevent or hinder particles P fromentering recirculation pump 154 and/or clog spray assemblies 144, 146,and/or 150. Thus, particles P remain within unfiltered volume 232 whileflow of wash fluid F passes through filter 250 to filtered volume 230and recirculation passage 226 during operation of dishwasher appliance100, e.g., recirculation pump 154.

However as discussed above, as filter 250 collects particles P overtime, particles P can hinder flow of wash fluid F passing through filter250. In other words, filter 250 can become saturated or clogged withparticles P. Impeller 240 is configured for hindering clogging of filter250. During rotation of impeller 240, impeller 240 stirs, churns, and/oragitates wash fluid and particles contained therein in order to hinderparticle collection within filter 250. In particular, such churning orstirring can, e.g., hinder particles P from collecting on inner surface252 of filter 250. In various exemplary embodiments, impeller 240 isconfigured for rotating in a first direction (e.g., clockwise), a seconddirection (e.g., counterclockwise), or both the first and seconddirections. Thus, impeller 240 can rotate in any suitable direction orcombination of directions.

Impeller 240 can be passive or active. In a passive configuration,impeller 240 rotates about axis of rotation X by momentum of flow ofwash fluid F and impacting of flow of wash fluid F on impeller 240,e.g., plurality of blades 244 of impeller 240. In the activeconfiguration, impeller 240 is in mechanical communication with a motor(not shown) that rotates impeller 240 about axis of rotation X whenactivated as will be understood by those skilled in the art. The motormay be a DC or AC electrical motor that is operated by controller 137.Impeller 240 may be directly driven by the motor or may include atransmission that reduces or increases that rotational speed of impeller240 relative to the motor. The motor may rotate impeller 240 in thefirst direction, the second direction, or both the first and seconddirections.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention,including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the invention, including making and using any devices orsystems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope ofthe invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examplesthat occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intendedto be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elementsthat do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if theyinclude equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differencesfrom the literal languages of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A sump assembly for a dishwasher appliance, thesump assembly comprising: a housing defining an inlet and a chamber; afilter disposed within the chamber of said housing, said filter and saidhousing defining a filtered volume and an unfiltered volume within thechamber of said housing; an outlet conduit defining an outlet passage,the outlet passage of said outlet conduit being in fluid communicationwith the unfiltered volume of the chamber; a recirculation conduitdefining a recirculation passage, the recirculation passage of saidrecirculation conduit being in fluid communication with the filteredvolume of the chamber; and an impeller mounted within the chamber ofsaid housing and rotatable about an axis of rotation.
 2. The sumpassembly of claim 1, wherein the sump assembly defines an axialdirection and a radial direction, wherein said impeller comprises: apost extending into the chamber of said housing along the axialdirection; and a plurality of blades mounted to the post of saidimpeller and extending away from the post of said impeller along theradial direction.
 3. The sump assembly of claim 2, wherein said housingcomprises a bottom wall and the post of said impeller is mounted to thebottom wall of said housing and extending away from the bottom wall ofsaid housing along the axial direction.
 4. The sump assembly of claim 2,wherein said plurality of blades comprises at least three blades.
 5. Thesump assembly of claim 2, wherein each blade of said plurality of bladeshas a distal portion that is positioned away from the axis of rotationof said impeller by about a first distance along the radial direction,wherein said filter has an inner surface that is positioned away fromthe axis of rotation of said impeller by about a second distance alongthe radial direction, wherein said second distance is greater than saidfirst distance.
 6. The sump assembly of claim 5, wherein the first andsecond distances are selected such that said plurality of blades do notcontact said filter.
 7. The sump assembly of claim 1, wherein saidhousing comprises a bottom wall and said impeller is mounted to thebottom wall of said housing.
 8. The sump assembly of claim 1, whereinsaid impeller further comprises a motor in mechanical communication withsaid impeller in order to selectively rotate said impeller about theaxis of rotation.
 9. The sump assembly of claim 1, wherein said impelleris configured for rotation in a first direction, a second direction, orboth the first and second directions.
 10. The sump assembly of claim 1,wherein the sump assembly defines an axial direction and a radialdirection, wherein said housing comprises a bottom wall and an sidewallmounted to the bottom wall and extending away from the bottom wall alongthe axial direction, wherein said outlet conduit is mounted to thebottom wall of said housing and said recirculation conduit is mounted tothe sidewall of said housing.
 11. A dishwasher appliance comprising: atub that defines a wash compartment, the wash compartment of said tubextending between a top portion and a bottom portion; a rack assemblyreceived within the wash compartment of said tub and configured forreceipt of articles for washing; a spray assembly for applying washfluid to the articles within the rack assembly; a drain pump for urginga flow of wash fluid out of the wash compartment of said tub; arecirculation pump for urging a flow of wash fluid to said sprayassembly; and a sump assembly mounted to said tub and positionedadjacent the bottom portion of the wash compartment of said tub, saidsump assembly comprising: a housing defining a chamber and an inlet thatprovides fluid communication between the wash compartment of said tuband the chamber of said housing; a filter disposed within the chamber ofsaid housing, said filter and said housing defining a filtered volumeand an unfiltered volume within the chamber of said housing; an outletconduit defining an outlet passage, the outlet passage of said outletconduit being in fluid communication with the unfiltered volume of thechamber and said drain pump; a recirculation conduit defining arecirculation passage, the recirculation passage of said recirculationconduit being in fluid communication with the filtered volume of thechamber and said recirculation pump; and an impeller mounted within thechamber of said housing and rotatable about an axis of rotation.
 12. Thedishwasher appliance of claim 11, wherein said sump assembly defines anaxial direction and a radial direction, wherein said impeller comprises:a post extending into the chamber of said housing along the axialdirection; and a plurality of blades mounted to the post of saidimpeller and extending away from the post of said impeller along theradial direction.
 13. The dishwasher appliance of claim 12, wherein saidhousing comprises a bottom wall and the post of said impeller is mountedto the bottom wall of said housing and extending away from the bottomwall of said housing along the axial direction.
 14. The dishwasherappliance of claim 12, wherein said plurality of blades comprises atleast three blades.
 15. The dishwasher appliance of claim 12, whereineach blade of said plurality of blades has a distal portion that ispositioned away from the axis of rotation of said impeller by about afirst distance along the radial direction, wherein said filter has aninner surface that is positioned away from the axis of rotation of saidimpeller by about a second distance along the radial direction, whereinsaid second distance is greater than said first distance.
 16. Thedishwasher appliance of claim 15, wherein the first and second distancesare selected such that said plurality of blades do not contact saidfilter.
 17. The dishwasher appliance of claim 11, wherein said housingcomprises a bottom wall and said impeller is mounted to the bottom wallof said housing.
 18. The dishwasher appliance of claim 11, wherein saidimpeller further comprises a motor in mechanical communication with saidimpeller in order to selectively rotate said impeller about the axis ofrotation.
 19. The dishwasher appliance of claim 11, wherein saidimpeller is configured for rotation in a first direction, a seconddirection, or both the first and second directions.
 20. The dishwasherappliance of claim 11, wherein said sump assembly defines an axialdirection and a radial direction, wherein said housing comprises abottom wall and an sidewall mounted to the bottom wall and extendingaway from the bottom wall along the axial direction, wherein said outletconduit is mounted to the bottom wall of said housing and saidrecirculation conduit is mounted to the sidewall of said housing.